There’s nothing quite like an ice-cold beer on a hot summer day, and I’m also a big fan of sweet tea. One day, I decided to blend the two together, and the result was amazing!
I played around with various flavor combinations, and this one quickly became my top pick.
The Sweet Tea Boysenberry Shandy is a lovely blend that combines the deep, comforting flavors of sweet tea with the bright, tangy notes of boysenberries, all brought together with the crisp, refreshing bite of beer!
It’s a must-try for anyone looking to explore new flavors in their favorite beverages, bringing a fresh and fruity twist to a classic Southern staple.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Refreshing Fusion: The combination of sweet tea, tangy boysenberries, and crisp beer creates a refreshing and balanced drink that’s perfect for warm days.
- Customizable Strength: You can adjust the alcohol content by choosing between a full-strength beer, a light ale, or even a non-alcoholic beer, catering to different preferences and occasions.
- Perfect for Garden Parties: The refreshing blend of sweet tea, boysenberries, and beer makes this shandy an ideal drink for outdoor garden parties, adding a touch of sophistication to your gathering.
- BBQ Companion: This shandy pairs beautifully with grilled foods, balancing the smoky flavors of BBQ with its sweet, tart, and slightly hoppy profile, making it a crowd-pleaser at any cookout.
- Impressive Presentation: Serve this shandy in tall glasses or glass jars with a garnish of fresh boysenberries or a lemon slice, making it a visually stunning and refreshing beverage that enhances the festive atmosphere of any garden party or BBQ.
What Exactly is Shandy?
A shandy is a refreshing beverage traditionally made by mixing beer with a non-alcoholic drink, typically lemonade, ginger beer, or soda. The result is a light, fizzy drink with lower alcohol content than beer alone, making it a popular choice for warm weather and casual gatherings.
The origins of the shandy trace back to Europe, particularly England and Germany, where it has been enjoyed for over a century. The name “shandy” comes from the British term “shandygaff,” which refers to a mix of beer and ginger ale.
Shandies are known for their crisp, refreshing taste, with the beer providing a slightly bitter, malty backbone and the mixer adding sweetness or tanginess.
Ingredients
The foundation of this shandy is the sweet tea, which is made by brewing black tea and sweetening it with sugar. Choosing a high-quality black tea is important, as it provides the rich, robust base that balances the sweetness and the tartness of the boysenberries. The sugar should be added while the tea is still warm to ensure it dissolves completely, creating a smooth, consistent sweetness.
Boysenberries are the next key component, offering a unique flavor that’s both sweet and tart, with a deep, rich color that adds visual appeal to the drink. When selecting boysenberries, fresh ones are ideal for their vibrant flavor, but frozen berries can also be used if fresh ones are not available.
The choice of beer or ale is also important, as it provides the effervescent, refreshing element that characterizes a shandy.
A light lager beer or white ale are typical choices with a mild flavor that won’t overpower the sweet tea and boysenberry combination.
However, my two favorite options are a wheat beer or a hoppy, fruity pale ale. Wheat beers (like Hooegarden or Franziskaner) are typically light, smooth, and slightly cloudy with a mild, bready flavor and a hint of citrus. This makes them a perfect base for a shandy, as their subtle sweetness and soft texture blend seamlessly with the fruity elements like boysenberry or lemonade.
On the other hand, hoppy and fruity pale ales (like the Sierra Nevada Pale Ale) bring a different dimension to the shandy. These beers are characterized by their aromatic hops, which contribute floral, citrus, or tropical fruit notes, depending on the hop variety used.
The beer should be chilled before mixing to ensure the drink remains cold and refreshing. The carbonation from the beer adds a crisp finish to the shandy, making it a perfect beverage for warm days.
Ingredients for 4 servings of Sweet Tea Boysenberry Shandy:
- 4 cups water
- 4 black tea bags
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar (adjust to taste)
- 1 cup boysenberry puree (fresh or frozen)
- 2 bottles (12 oz) beer (chilled)
- Ice cubes
- Fresh boysenberries, mint, or lemon slices for garnish (optional)
How to Make Sweet Tea Boysenberry Shandy
Instructions for making 4 servings of Sweet Tea Boysenberry Shandy:
- Brew the Sweet Tea:
- Bring 4 cups of water to a boil. Remove from heat and add the black tea bags.
- Let the tea steep for 5 minutes, then remove the tea bags.
- Stir in the sugar while the tea is still warm, adjusting the sweetness to your preference. Let the sweet tea cool to room temperature, then refrigerate until chilled.
- Prepare the Boysenberry Puree:
- If using fresh boysenberries, blend them in a blender or food processor until smooth. Strain through a fine mesh sieve to remove the seeds, if desired. If using frozen boysenberries, thaw them first, then blend and strain.
- Mix the Sweet Tea and Boysenberry Puree:
- In a large pitcher, combine the chilled sweet tea with the boysenberry puree. Stir well until the puree is fully incorporated into the tea.
- Add the Beer:
- Slowly pour the chilled beer into the pitcher with the sweet tea and boysenberry mixture. Stir gently to combine, being careful not to lose too much carbonation.
- Serve:
- Fill glasses with ice cubes and pour the Sweet Tea Boysenberry Shandy over the ice.
- Garnish with fresh boysenberries, mint, or lemon slices, if desired.
- Enjoy:
- Serve immediately and enjoy this refreshing drink at your garden party, BBQ, or any casual gathering!
Additional Tips & Variations
- Use Sparkling Lemonade: Substitute the beer with sparkling lemonade for a non-alcoholic version that still offers a fizzy, refreshing kick.
- Mix with a Splash of Gin: For an extra boozy twist, add a shot of gin to the shandy, which pairs well with the fruity and botanical flavors.
- Include a Honey Syrup: Replace the sugar in the sweet tea with honey syrup for a richer, more complex sweetness that adds depth to the drink.
- Garnish with Citrus Zest: Grate a bit of lemon or orange zest over the top of the drink for a bright, citrusy aroma that enhances the overall flavor profile.
- Swap with Elderflower Liqueur: Add a splash of elderflower liqueur for a floral note that complements the boysenberries and adds a sophisticated twist to the shandy.
- Use Frozen Boysenberries as Ice Cubes: Freeze whole boysenberries and use them as ice cubes to keep the drink cold without diluting the flavor, while adding a fun visual element.
Sweet Tea Boysenberry Shandy
Ingredients
- 4 cups water
- 4 black tea bags
- 1/2 cup cup granulated sugar adjust to taste
- 1 cup boysenberries fresh or frozen
- 2 bottles (12 oz) beer chilled
- Ice cubes
- Fresh boysenberries, mint, or lemon slices for garnish optional
Instructions
- Brew the Sweet Tea: Stee the tea steep for 5 minutes in boiled watger, then remove the tea bags. Stir in the sugar while the tea is still warm, adjusting the sweetness to your preference. Let the sweet tea cool to room temperature, then refrigerate until chilled.
- Prepare the Boysenberry Puree: If using fresh boysenberries, blend them in a blender or food processor until smooth. Strain through a fine mesh sieve to remove the seeds, if desired. If using frozen boysenberries, thaw them first, then blend and strain.
- Mix the Sweet Tea and Boysenberry Puree: In a large pitcher, combine the chilled sweet tea with the boysenberry puree. Stir well until the puree is fully incorporated into the tea.
- Add the Beer: Slowly pour the chilled beer into the pitcher with the sweet tea and boysenberry mixture. Stir gently to combine, being careful not to lose too much carbonation.
- Serve & Enjoy: Fill glasses with ice cubes and pour the Sweet Tea Boysenberry Shandy over the ice. Garnish with fresh boysenberries, mint, or lemon slices, if desired. Enjoy!
